“Dr. Benek frequently writes, speaks, and provides skilled analysis on issues of theology, technology and technological futurism—most notably in the fields of artificial intelligence and virtual reality.”
– Psychology Today
The Rev. Dr. Christopher J. Benek is a follower of Jesus Christ, a pastor, husband, and father. He is also a global emerging tech & theology expert who is internationally known for his social and religious analysis and commentary. He is widely recognized as a techno-theologian, futurist, ethicist, Christian Transhumanist, public speaker, writer and tech pastor. He is the lead clergy expert regarding Artificial Intelligence in the world.
Dr. Benek is the Pastor & CEO of CoCreators. He has more than a decade of previously served churches in Hopewell & Ridgeview, New Jersey; Greenville, Ohio; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
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Born in Ashtabula, Ohio during the year of the United States Bicentennial and the advent of Rocky – The Rev. Dr. Christopher James Benek grew up in the meager surroundings of Mobile Acres Trailer Park loving every childhood minute of it. A product of the Buckeye Local School System, Chris completed one year at Edgewood Senior High School before transferring to Geneva High School when his family moved to the country in Austinburg, Ohio. Surrounded by farms and woodlands Chris grew up in a engaging atmosphere that intrigued the imagination.
Upon graduation, Chris enrolled at Hiram College and sought out a Pre-Law educational track, dual majoring in Political Science and History while working full time. He also engaged in an eclectic mix of student activities – serving as a two-sport varsity student athlete, a member of the HC Student Senate and various undergraduate clubs and organizations. He was elected the president of the the Pre-Law Club and later founded the legendary Hiram College Disco Club. Chris was a three-year Editor-in-Chief of the Hiram College newspaper – The Advance, Team Captain of the Moot Court Team, and the chairman of the Campaign for Computer Expansion Committee that succeeded in prompting the College Administration to network the entire college campus.
“At a time when much of the religious and political world seems to be at war with science, Benek has gained international attention with his visionary ideas about how ethics and morality can survive in our rapidly changing techno-future.”
– The Chicago Tribune
The Rev. Dr. Christopher J. Benek is a follower of Jesus Christ, a pastor, husband, and father. He is also a global emerging tech & theology expert who is internationally known for his social and religious analysis and commentary. He is widely recognized as a techno-theologian, futurist, ethicist, Christian Transhumanist, public speaker, writer and tech pastor. He is the lead clergy expert regarding Artificial Intelligence in the world.
Dr. Benek is the Pastor & CEO of CoCreators. He has more than a decade of previously served churches in Hopewell & Ridgeview, New Jersey; Greenville, Ohio; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Putting Insights to Words
Technology & Theology
Dr. Benek frequently writes, speaks and provides skilled analysis on issues of theology, technology and technological futurism – most notably in the fields of artificial intelligence & virtual reality. Global media sources have compared his personal commentary to that of luminaries Steven Hawking, Bill Gates and Elon Musk. Rev. Benek is also the founding Chair of the Christian Transhumanist Association. He is notably the first self-identified, ordained Christian Transhumanist in the world.
Social & Religious
Rev. Benek is known worldwide for his insights that intertwine faith and practice. He has been a featured orator at numerous large venues and speaks regarding a multitude of topics. He is a sought after advisor and pastor in non-profit, government and entreprenueral circles.
Social & Religious
Dr. Benek and his social and religious commentary have been featured on/in the following media sources among others: BBC Radio, The New York Times, Yahoo News, Christianity Today, SI.com, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Fox News, Los Angeles Times, Salon.com, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Worldcrunch, The Christian Post, The Associated Press, Russia Today, Le Monde, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, Newsmax TV, Gizmodo, H+ Magazine, UK Daily Mail, The Guardian, Big Think, The Atlantic and The Huffington Post.
“Benek traveled to Japan and was the first ever pastor to speak at the International Conference for Social Robotics.”
– The Christian Post
The Rev. Dr. Christopher J. Benek is a follower of Jesus Christ, a pastor, husband, and father. He is also a global emerging tech & theology expert who is internationally known for his social and religious analysis and commentary. He is widely recognized as a techno-theologian, futurist, ethicist, Christian Transhumanist, public speaker, writer and tech pastor. He is the lead clergy expert regarding Artificial Intelligence in the world.
Dr. Benek is the Pastor & CEO of CoCreators. He has more than a decade of previously served churches in Hopewell & Ridgeview, New Jersey; Greenville, Ohio; Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Born in Ashtabula, Ohio during the year of the United States Bicentennial and the advent of Rocky – The Rev. Dr. Christopher James Benek grew up in the meager surroundings of Mobile Acres Trailer Park loving every childhood minute of it. A product of the Buckeye Local School System, Chris completed one year at Edgewood Senior High School before transferring to Geneva High School when his family moved to the country in Austinburg, Ohio. Surrounded by farms and woodlands Chris grew up in a engaging atmosphere that intrigued the imagination.
Upon graduation, Chris enrolled at Hiram College and sought out a Pre-Law educational track, dual majoring in Political Science and History while working full time. He also engaged in an eclectic mix of student activities – serving as a two-sport varsity student athlete, a member of the HC Student Senate and various undergraduate clubs and organizations. He was elected the president of the the Pre-Law Club and later founded the legendary Hiram College Disco Club. Chris was a three-year Editor-in-Chief of the Hiram College newspaper – The Advance, Team Captain of the Moot Court Team, and the chairman of the Campaign for Computer Expansion Committee that succeeded in prompting the College Administration to network the entire college campus.
“As a techno-theologian and futurist, (Benek) believes God gave humans the ability and privilege to co-create, but humans have not yet advanced their co-creation skills enough.”
– Religion News Service
Insights (Australia) – Can AI be redeemed?
Insights quotes the The Rev. Dr. Christopher Benek as it investigates the theological challenges surrounding Artificial Intelligence and redemption. Read
The Christian Post – Evangelicals unveil statement on artificial intelligence, say the Church needs to engage
The Christian Post quotes The Rev. Dr. Christopher Benek regarding the Statement on Artificial Intelligence presented by the Ethics and
The Christian Post – NY Times says robot marriage becoming mainstream; pastor believes church partly to blame
Commenting on the The New York Tomes article “Do you Take this Robot,” The Christian Post quotes The Rev. Dr.
Patheos – James McGrath’s ReligionProf Podcast with Christopher Benek
Butler University Religion Professor James McGrath interviews The Rev. Dr. Christopher Benek for an extended Christmas Special version of his
The Christian Post – John Crist pokes fun at virtual reality churches in hilarious new video
Michael Gryboski of The Christian Post quotes The Rev. Dr. Christopher Benek as a comedy sketch by comedian John Crist
The Christian Post – Can a Video Game Church Advance the Kingdom of God?
The Christian Post interviews the Rev. Dr. Christopher Benek inquiring as to his thoughts on ministry that seeks to serve video gamers. Read the full article HERE.
“’I don’t see Christ’s redemption limited to human beings,’ Christopher Benek, told Gizmodo ‘It’s redemption of all of creation, even AI. If AI is autonomous, then we should encourage it to participate in Christ’s redemptive purposes in the world.’”
– The Atlantic
